Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' ” So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
As I listened and read this scripture at about 12:40 am, the Spirit prompted me to get up and write this devotion. I can in many ways relate to this guy who was an invalid for 38 years. I am very blessed that my deliverance in Jesus’ name did not come after so many years. I was 9 years old when Jesus brought me a Bible and called me out of the bondage of Satan. Moreover, I was 14 years old when Jesus again delivered me from my invalid life.
Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
Have you ever experienced moments in your life where you wonder why do you do what you do? Many people have come before us and gone. For most people, after they die, their legacy and memories of this life dissipate over time. King Solomon was one of the wisest and richest men who lived in this world. He had great wealth and power, yet he concluded that this is all meaningless. Since we are reminded by Solomon that we take nothing with us when our God given Spirit leaves this body and dies, let us build a legacy in this world that we can potentially take with us, Eternal life. Jesus says in John 14:2-3 "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
As I read this scripture, I picture myself in the middle of a war zone that I must go through to make it to my destination. As I am traveling through that war zone that seems never ending, I am in protective armor that protects me from all weapons fired at me by the enemy. The war zone, for me, signifies the earth that we live in and how it is filled with different weapons of mass destruction. Nevertheless, we must navigate through and fight not to be destroyed as we strive to make it to heaven and to get to spend eternal life with God.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Have you found yourself working hard to remain focused on the promises of God? Let’s be real! Saying that God is faithful and trusting God’s faithfulness during trials are very different. Jesus understood how much faith it takes for us to hold on to God’s promise when he addressed doubting Thomas. “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John20:29).
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Dear heavenly Father! We come before you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. We are asking you Father God, to please help us see this world that seems broken and in chaos through your eyes. Father, show us how to keep our eyes healthy so that our body will not stray away from your light. Father, it is difficult to see goodness when we look around us and all we see is pain, injustice, greed, deceit, hatred, impurity, and so on. Our hearts bleed tears and the earth groans (Romans 8:22-25) waiting for the revival redemption. Father, we need a word from you as we desperately wait for miracles. Father, our eyes and heart say all is lost and there seems to be no hope. Father God, your words teach us you are the beginning and the end; you have the final say; You are full of compassion; You are the way maker; nothing is impossible; you are the miracle worker, and you detest evil. Father, hear our cry for mercy and justice. We feel powerless but we know that we serve a God who is powerful beyond measure. Please Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, do not let us drown as we look toward you for deliverance that can only come from you. Amen!
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
God’s words and promises are true and will always come to past! Have you found yourself doubting God in your life? I know that I have done it so many times. In my doubting season, I never doubt if he can do it, but will he do it for me? Or question why is he not doing it? There is so much that we can learn from the book of Ezra. Nonetheless, I was led by the Holy Spirit to read chapter one and verse one which resonated with my personal journey with Jesus Christ. In the past year as I watched so much chaos happening in the world, I have found myself fighting to defuse Satan's lies in my mind about God’s promises, sovereignty and trusting his words as truth.
